Flamengo (Brazil) vs Athletico Paranaense (Brazil)
Flamengo will fight for their third Copa Libertadores’ title in history after an easy 2-1 home success over Velez Sarsfield in the return leg of the semi-finals (6-1 on aggregate). Last Tuesday, O Mengao beat Santos 3-2 at home to hold onto third place in the Brazilian league table on 61 points (after 34 rounds); which means they already secured their ticket to the 2023 Copa Libertadores. In fact, Flamengo have been unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions, winning five and drawing three.
David Terans’ strike in the 85th minute allowed Athletico Paranaense to claim a massive 2-2 away draw at SE Palmeiras in the return leg of the Copa Libertadores’ semi-finals, advancing to the final (thanks to a 3-2 aggregate result) for the second time in history (never champions so far). On Tuesday, O Furacao’s alternative XI lost 3-1 to Palmeiras at home, which places them in sixth in the Brasileirao table on 51 points, having not yet secured their spot in the next Copa Libertadores. Athletico lost three of their last five competitive games, having won one and drawn one in that spell.
Flamengo cruised through this tournament where they barely found any opposition, and I expect this final to be pretty much the same as they are clearly the more experienced and best team.